Of interest to us is general and specific genealogical information about our French-Canadian (QUÉBEC in particular) and Franco-American ancestors. I hope to post pertinent info here on a regular basis as my research progresses. Details concerning genetic anomalies and hereditary diseases found among French-Canadians and their descendants would be welcome. Your input, corrections and comments are most welcome.

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Louis RIEL was born 1844-10-22 in the Red River Settlement of Rupert's Land, now known as the province of MANITOBA. He was the eldest of 11 Metis children. He was hanged in 1885-11-16 for High Treason against the Queen of England and the Dominion of Canada for having led the Northwest Revolution against the government.Although sincere in his life-long efforts for the rights of the Metis people, he was misunderstood by the clergy of the Roman Catholic church, said to have been mentally deranged, and was feared by the Canadian governments for his influence among the half-breeds and the Metis of Rupert's Land.He married in the state of MONTANA where he was living in exile for fear of his life. His wife, Marguerite MONET dite BELLEHUMEUR was a Cree woman. They had 3 children, all having died young. The eldest, Jean, married Laura CASAULT in March 1908 in Québec City, QC where Jean had studied to become an engineer. Wanting to return to western Canada, Jean found a job with the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway where he worked on a construction site 12 miles from his home in Saint-Vital, MB. One day, on his way home from work, his cart overturned and some ribs were fratured. Although the accident was not considered serious, Jean died from his injuries in July of 1908. He and his wife had no children; therefore, LOUIS RIEL has no direct descendants.

6 comments:

Wonderful resource and great webshots. I just moved to Manchester and now I live in the old Beacon Shoes factory at the corner of Lincoln and Silver streets. I love history and it's wonderful to be in a city with such _rich_ history! If you know of anywhere else on the Internet that I can see old pics/postcards, please email me I'm trying to have some items in my condo that reflect the history of Manchester.-Jason (allguy at gmail.com)

Sorry, the source was correct. Technically, Louis Riel did have 3 children. A third, Joseph, was either stillborn or died as a very young infant. He was born and died the same year his father was hanged (1885) . I do not know if his wife was Cree or Ojibway, but she died the following year (1886) due to a "weakened condition by birth of 3rd child and tuberculosis".

I was wondering if there are any descendants living in Vancouver BC or on Vancouver Island? I think I am related to Louis Riel and would like to find a contact to see if I can find out more info, it would be nice to find out if I am related to him. Thanks.

About Me

I was born in early morn...
An American living in Canada since 1971, I have finally come to grips with my French-Canadian heritage, which isn't as easy as it may sound. Although many Quebecers immigrated to the U.S., wherever they went, they were the minority, despite filling the factories along the Merrimack River on the east coast. So, I'm not "an American in Paris," but an "AMERICAN in QUÉBEC"!